Chemical Formula: BaSO4

Chemical Name: Barium Sulfate

Mineral Class: Sulfate

Mineral Notes: Barite is easily identified by its heavy weight. Most similar minerals are much lighter. It tends to form well defined flattened crystals. Occasionally it forms large rounded mounds from precipitation of hot, barium-rich springs.  

Description: This is a rather interesting specimen. Underneath is a fragment of rock matrix which contains several large crystals of silver Galena. On top is a thick layer of Barite, which consists of fused upright plates. Many of these are transparent and have  very good rhombohedral form. All show good clean terminations.

Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire, England.